MSI WindPad 100W now available… for $710

PC makers MSI hasn’t officially launched the WindPad 100W tablet in the US yet. But the folks at Simply Electronics are selling the 10 inch Windows tablet anyway. That’s because the retailer sources its products from the US, Europe and Asia, so it sometimes offers devices that aren’t otherwise available in the US yet. Unfortunately you’ll have to pay for the privilege of being the first one on your block with a WindPad 100W. The tablet is selling for $709.95. At least delivery is free.

The WindPad 100W has a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel capacitive multitouch display and a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor. The computer comes with 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 32GB solid state disk and Windows 7 Home Premium.

There are two cameras, one on the front and another on the back, a G-sensor, ambient light sensor, and an HDMI output as well as an SD card reader and USB 2.0 port. The tablet measures 10.8″ x 6.8″ x 0.7″ and weighs 1.8 pounds.

I got a chance to see the WindPad 100W at CES earlier this month, and while it didn’t exactly blow me away, it appeared to have reasonably good build quality and a fully functional user interface — which is more than I can say for the WindPad 100A Android tablet prototype MSI was demonstrating.

If this price point is going to be the norm, then tablet = fail. Early adopters will buy but beyond that I don’t see it happening. Netbooks and eReaders are the real serious competition. Might as well throw in smartphones also. Not sure is pricing is wishful thinking or this is covering expense of the tablets but taking the Apple formula to pricing = fail for everyone else.

Anonymous

Apple formula is actually worse when you consider performance. Even if the iPad could run Windows it’s CPU is less powerful than even a Intel ATOM.

But x86 hardware uses more power than ARM and that means it needs more cooling, battery capacity, and space, which in turn adds to cost and tablets use more expensive components like Touch Screens, which cost more than keyboards and more expensive batteries to help reduce size and weight.

So tablets tend to cost more and Windows tablets still require x86 processors and that further adds to the cost.

gman

You misunderstand my point. Apple can charge an arm and a leg for their products. “They” can, everyone else shouldn’t. Galaxy Tab anyone?

Anonymous

Galaxy Tab is a different story and we’re talking about a Windows Tablet right now. There is a reason why they tend to cost more and it’s unfair to just lump them together because you think it’s over priced.

If there was no reason besides brand name then you would have a point but this isn’t the case with Windows Tablets in general!